Sport

Davis dreams of FA Cup glory

Steven Davis says that Saints are dreaming of achieving “something special” in this season’s FA Cup.

The club take on Sunderland today (12.45pm) and can earn a place in the quarter-finals with a victory at the Stadium of Light.

With a number of big names exiting the competition, there is a sense that the door could really open for Saints if they can progress this afternoon.

“We can dream of doing something special in the competition, but you never want to say too much regarding that, because, obviously, you’ve got difficult fixtures ahead of you,” said Davis.

“We’ll take one game at a time, starting with Sunderland. “There’s a real desire to go on and do well in the competition.

“If we can get that little bit of luck, perform on the day, and show the quality we have got, then there’s no reason why we can’t go on and do well.”

Davis has never advanced beyond the fifth round of the FA Cup, but he has enjoyed greater success in the Scottish equivalent, winning it twice with Rangers, while also picking up three League Cup titles north of the border.

“I think any silverware that you’re fortunate enough to lift stands out in your mind,” said the midfielder.

“There’s nothing better than lifting a trophy, no better feeling in the world.

“As I say, the desire’s there to go on and do well in the cup.

“We’re desperate to do well, and we dream of doing well in the competition, but, obviously, there’s still going to be difficult fixtures ahead of us.”

Saints are currently enjoying an excellent run of form, with Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Hull pushing them up to eighth in the Premier League and extending their unbeaten streak, across all competitions, to eight matches.

Davis believes the team are yet to reach their peak, however.

“I think there’s a lot of quality, and one of the best things about this team at the minute is that there’s still a lot of progression within the team, and we feel we can improve a lot more,” he said.

“I think we’ve shown that, even from the start of the season.

“Since the manager’s come in, we’ve shown a consistent level of improvement and progression, and I still think there’s a lot more to come from this side.”

A host of players have made major contributions to Saints’ success this term, but Davis is one who has arguably not received the focus he deserves.

The 29-year-old has started the club’s last 13 league matches and his influence has become increasingly noticeable.

“I think when I first came (to the club) I was really frustrated that I wasn’t hitting the levels that I knew I was capable of, and I think it’s more of a case of just getting back to the level that I know I can play at, and doing that consistently,” he said.

“Obviously, when I first came, I came off the back of an operation and missed pre-season and that took me a long time to get over as well.

“I feel, sort of since probably at least the last year, I’ve maybe been getting back to the level that I’ve shown at, but I still know there’s a lot more in me and I’m capable of more as well.”

Comments (10)

I remember 1976, when Hugh Fisher kept Saints in the FAA Cup, with his goal against Blackpool. The team as a whole is now better than in those days, so why not all still dream the dream of Saints going all the way? COYR !!!

I remember 1976, when Hugh Fisher kept Saints in the FAA Cup, with his goal against Blackpool. The team as a whole is now better than in those days, so why not all still dream the dream of Saints going all the way? COYR !!!justaSaintsfan

Go for it Saints, Steve Davis is a gem and for me he's back to his Rangers level right now, in my 56 years of supporting Saints in my opinion this is the best squad that has been assembled and a lot of that energy skill and team spirit has to be MoPo's contribution to this mighty club. COYMR

Go for it Saints, Steve Davis is a gem and for me he's back to his Rangers level right now, in my 56 years of supporting Saints in my opinion this is the best squad that has been assembled and a lot of that energy skill and team spirit has to be MoPo's contribution to this mighty club. COYMRfritzer

justaSaintsfan wrote:
I remember 1976, when Hugh Fisher kept Saints in the FAA Cup, with his goal against Blackpool. The team as a whole is now better than in those days, so why not all still dream the dream of Saints going all the way? COYR !!!

I remember 1976 when Hugh Fisher kept us in the cup with his goal against Villa. Mind you, that was the FA Cup, not the FAA Cup.

[quote][p][bold]justaSaintsfan[/bold] wrote:
I remember 1976, when Hugh Fisher kept Saints in the FAA Cup, with his goal against Blackpool. The team as a whole is now better than in those days, so why not all still dream the dream of Saints going all the way? COYR !!![/p][/quote]I remember 1976 when Hugh Fisher kept us in the cup with his goal against Villa. Mind you, that was the FA Cup, not the FAA Cup.miltonarcher

justaSaintsfan wrote:
I remember 1976, when Hugh Fisher kept Saints in the FAA Cup, with his goal against Blackpool. The team as a whole is now better than in those days, so why not all still dream the dream of Saints going all the way? COYR !!!

I remember 1976 when Hugh Fisher kept us in the cup with his goal against Villa. Mind you, that was the FA Cup, not the FAA Cup.

I remember the game as well.I had been playing an early game,when finished we shot across to the dell for the second half,the gates were open as they did after half time.Squeezed into the Archers just as Chris Nichol scored a fantastic goal for villa from about 35 Yards.Thought that was that but Hughie Fisher somehow shot through players to save us .The replay saw Saints beat them on their patch their first defeat at home up to that point.
The rest is history.
Lets repeat this today .
COYR

[quote][p][bold]miltonarcher[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]justaSaintsfan[/bold] wrote:
I remember 1976, when Hugh Fisher kept Saints in the FAA Cup, with his goal against Blackpool. The team as a whole is now better than in those days, so why not all still dream the dream of Saints going all the way? COYR !!![/p][/quote]I remember 1976 when Hugh Fisher kept us in the cup with his goal against Villa. Mind you, that was the FA Cup, not the FAA Cup.[/p][/quote]I remember the game as well.I had been playing an early game,when finished we shot across to the dell for the second half,the gates were open as they did after half time.Squeezed into the Archers just as Chris Nichol scored a fantastic goal for villa from about 35 Yards.Thought that was that but Hughie Fisher somehow shot through players to save us .The replay saw Saints beat them on their patch their first defeat at home up to that point.
The rest is history.
Lets repeat this today .
COYRSFCOLDBOY

A DREADFUL PERFORMANCE FROM SAINTS TODAY AND AN EVEN WORSE ONE FROM POCHETTINO. DOES THAT MAN NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FA CUP, WHAT WAS HE DOING PUTTING OUT A WAY BELOW STRENGTH SIDE AND THEN TAKING OF LLALANA. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED PERFORM LIKE THAT MOPO AND YOU CAN HEAD OUT TO MADRID WITH MY BLESSING. TRULY AWFUL AND HE GETS THE FLACK HE DESERVES.

A DREADFUL PERFORMANCE FROM SAINTS TODAY AND AN EVEN WORSE ONE FROM POCHETTINO. DOES THAT MAN NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FA CUP, WHAT WAS HE DOING PUTTING OUT A WAY BELOW STRENGTH SIDE AND THEN TAKING OF LLALANA. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED PERFORM LIKE THAT MOPO AND YOU CAN HEAD OUT TO MADRID WITH MY BLESSING. TRULY AWFUL AND HE GETS THE FLACK HE DESERVES.montecristosaint

A DREADFUL PERFORMANCE FROM SAINTS TODAY AND AN EVEN WORSE ONE FROM POCHETTINO. DOES THAT MAN NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FA CUP, WHAT WAS HE DOING PUTTING OUT A WAY BELOW STRENGTH SIDE AND THEN TAKING OFF LLALANA. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED PERFORM LIKE THAT MOPO AND YOU CAN HEAD OUT TO MADRID WITH MY BLESSING. TRULY AWFUL AND I HOPE HE GETS THE FLACK HE DESERVES.

A DREADFUL PERFORMANCE FROM SAINTS TODAY AND AN EVEN WORSE ONE FROM POCHETTINO. DOES THAT MAN NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FA CUP, WHAT WAS HE DOING PUTTING OUT A WAY BELOW STRENGTH SIDE AND THEN TAKING OFF LLALANA. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED PERFORM LIKE THAT MOPO AND YOU CAN HEAD OUT TO MADRID WITH MY BLESSING. TRULY AWFUL AND I HOPE HE GETS THE FLACK HE DESERVES.montecristosaint

The only thing Saints achieved today was to convince me and the 1000 other long-suffering unfortunates who made an 800-mile round trip today that the club doesn't think the FA Cup is worth a snap.

The only thing Saints achieved today was to convince me and the 1000 other long-suffering unfortunates who made an 800-mile round trip today that the club doesn't think the FA Cup is worth a snap.Jan28th1984